Nicholas Read

Nicholas Read is a journalism instructor at Langara College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He collaborated with Ian McAllister on books such as Wolf Island, A Bear's Life, and The Seal Garden and wrote City Critters, about urban wildlife.

Kids Books (7)

Black bears, grizzly bears, and spirit bears all make their home in the Great Bear Rainforest. A Bear's Life uses Ian McAllister's stunning photographs to follow these beautiful animals through a year in the British Columbia wilderness—catching fish, eating berries, climbing trees and taking long naps.

Reviews"The incredible close-up photos lead the reader from spring to fall in the rainforest as the easy-to-read text introduces each unique and special aspect of the bears' home...Impressive presentation. The writing style is especially inviting to younger readers...Hopefully this author-photographer duo still have more to offer all ages about British Columbia's endangered rainforest as a way to encourage conservation efforts. Highly Recommended." — CM Magazine, April 2017

"The heart of this album is [McAllister's] photography: two beautiful landscapes showing the pristine Great Bear Rainforest bookend many, many close-ups of bears…An appropriate companion to Wolf Island to nourish the sense of wonder." — Kirkus Reviews, May 2017

"Read emphasizes how much time it takes for cubs to learn survival skills from their mom and the importance of a balanced ecosystem…McAllister's close-up images of the creatures and the forest radiate with energy and atmosphere, in part because of the clean layout, which lets them shine…A title sure to be enjoyed over and over again. An easy pick for nonfiction animal collections." — School Library Journal, June 2017

"A Bear's Life is highly recommended for school and public libraries for study units and for story times. This book would enhance study units on bears, ecological systems, rainforests, indigenous mythology, the Raven, and photography." — Resource Links, October 2017

Educator InformationA Bear's Life is the second book in the My Great Bear Rainforest series.

A Whale’s World follows a pod of spy-hopping orcas as they explore the ecosystems of the Great Bear Sea while hunting for their next meal. Past rocky shores and through kelp forests, they observe foraging wolves, hungry grizzly bears, curious black bears, graceful fin whales, splashing porpoises, slippery seals and other members of the Pacific coastal food web. The book gives readers a fun introduction to the many ways that marine and land animals interact with their environments and with each other.

Educator InformationThis is the fourth book in the My Great Bear Rainforest Series.

Just below the surface of the Great Bear Sea, a world of mystery exists. Intertidal zones full of colour and exotic-looking life can support thousands of different species of plants and animals.

This new book by Ian McAllister and Nicholas Read explores the intricate relationship between this mysterious underwater ecosystem and the life it supports; mighty great whales, sea lions, dolphins, sea otters, wild salmon, bears, wolves, soaring eagles and so much more.

These unique wolves swim like otters and fish like bears! The Sea Wolves sets out to disprove the notion of "the Big Bad Wolf," especially as it is applied to coastal wolvesâ€”a unique strain of wolf that lives in the rainforest along the Pacific coast of Canada. Genetically distinct from their inland cousins and from wolves in any other part of the world, coastal wolves can swim like otters and fish like the bears with whom they share the rainforest. Smaller than the gray wolves that live on the other side of the Coast Mountains, these wolves are highly social and fiercely intelligent creatures.

Living in the isolated wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest, coastal wolves have also enjoyed a unique relationship with man. The First Nations people, who have shared their territory for thousands of years, do not see them as a nuisance species but instead have long offered the wolf a place of respect and admiration within their culture.

Illustrated with almost one hundred of Ian McAllister's magnificent photographs, The Sea Wolves presents a strong case for the importance of preserving the Great Bear Rainforest for the wolves, the bears and the other unique creatures that live there.

When storms roar and orcas are on the prowl, it's the seal gardens of the Great Bear Sea that provide safety and shelter to sea lions, otters, a variety of seals and other sea mammals.

Ian McAllister's glorious photographs reveal the beauty and mystery of this rarely seen place of refuge. This is the third title in the My Great Bear Rainforest series, following Wolf Island and A Bear's Life.

Reviews"The expert photography in these books is the perfect medium to tell the stories of survival in this unique wild place…The books in the 'My Great Bear Rainforest' series can effectively be shared with younger listeners who will find the photos captivating and whose curiosity will be aroused by the infrequently seen settings. Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine, December 2017

"The concept of a seal garden will be new to most viewers, and the illustrations will intrigue children and adults alike. McAllister's handsome photos, particularly those taken underwater, offer some unusual and almost otherworldly effects of light and color.
— Booklist, December 2017

"Playful images of seals abound. Even the coral, kelp, and stones are shot with care…McAllister and Read's love for the wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest is evident in their respect for their subjects. Recommended for nature lovers and those that need encouragement to dip their toes into nonfiction."
— School Library Journal, January 2018

"The writing skillfully incorporates facts with a story that promotes understanding of nature. This book is highly recommended for school and public libraries. It would be an appropriate gift for any child. Children are curious about nature and love a good story. The Seal Garden provides for both."
— Resource Links, February 2018

Educator InformationThis is the third title in the My Great Bear Rainforest series.

The Great Bear Rainforest is a majestic place full of tall trees, huge bears and endless schools of salmon. Award-winning photographer and author Ian McAllister's luminous photographs illustrate the story of a lone wolf who swims to one of the small islands that dot the rainforest's coast. The island provides him with everything he needs—deer, salmon, fresh water—everything, that is, but a mate. When a female wolf arrives on the island's rocky shores, she and he start a family and introduce their pups to the island's bounty.

Reviews"The story is really told by the big, bright pictures—which glow with the rhythms and beauties of this remote habitat...Enthralling fare for budding naturalists." — Kirkus Reviews, January 2017

"Striking photographs chronicle the life span of a male wolf in the Great Bear Rainforest...Careful and varied page layouts include concise, vivid language that describes his journey and images that bring the reader up close—all this is missing is the feeling of misty air on skin...This well-made title offers great visual detail supported by age-appropriate text." — School Library Journal, February 2017

"Readers will find much to like about the written account of the wolf's first year on his own...With Ian McAllister's wondrous photos and Nicholas Read's accessible text, young readers are sure to learn why it is of great importance to protect and sustain the Great Bear Rainforest." — Sal's Fiction Addiction, April 2017

"This non-fiction narrative is filled with facts and scientific details to explain the habitat and lifestyle of wolves living on an island. Their story is compelling and interesting. The photography in this book is stunning with panoramic views and detailed close-up images to support the text…This book is a good choice for those looking for engaging narrative nonfiction." — School Library Connection, June 2017

Educator InformationThis is the first book in the My Great Bear Rainforest series.